Pics: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network — Udupi
Udupi, May 19: The ‘Tallur Kanaka–Annayya Shetty Award’ was conferred on writer Amrut Someshwar in a function held on Saturday May 17 at Ravindra Auditorium, MGM College, Udupi.
“Writer Amrut Someshwar believes in exploring various possibilities in the art form of Yakshagana,” said Prof B A Viveka Rai, former Vice-Chancellor of Hampi Kannada University, after presenting the award.
“Someshwar always thinks of exploring possibilities such as ‘Makkala Yakshagana’, ‘Mahila Yakshagana’, and ‘Tulu Yakshagana’. He even thought of a ‘Tuluthittu’ – Tulu school of Yakshagana. Besides writing books on Yakshagana, he has also written on other topics. His contribution to the field of literature and culture is invaluable,” he added.
He also appreciated Someshwar for his multi-talented personality, creativity, dynamism, and organizing skills.
“Yakshagana is an integral part of the culture of the coastal region. Many people have better command over Kannada language and good grasp of epics such as Ramayana and Mahabharata because of Yakshagana,” added Prof Rai.
Scholar Prabhakar Joshi said, “Someshwar is an unbiased person and does not belong to any caste or religion-based group. His literary output is prodigious but he has not got the kind of recognition that he deserves.”
Someshwar, addressing the gathering, and said, “It is a memorable day in my life. Yakshagana is a mother to me and has nourished me. I am influenced by Yakshagana from childhood. Yakshagana is a way into literature.”
Kumble Sundar Rao, former chairman, Karnataka Yakshagana Bayalata Academy, Tallur Shivaram Shetty, president of Yakshagana Kalaranga, and Gopal C Bangera, vice-president of Malpe PU College betterment committee, were among those present on the occasion.